Neck pain leading to Tinnitus

[Graham1108]

Hi everyone. I have had a long standing issue with neck pain in my right side at the same time that my T started in November 2020. Despite spending £1,500 on osteopath treatment the pain still exists. When I finally had a ENT follow up (at my request some 9 months after my first visit) I was told that I have Tinnitus, there is nothing more they can do, that the neck issue had nothing to do with T and that I just had to except my condition. I have searching for answers and now understand that the pain is coming from my Sternocleidomastoid muscle in my neck which CAN lead to Tinnitus. I was wondering if anyone had/has a similar issue and what they have done about it?

Many thanks, Graham

[rabbits65]

This must be very uncomfortable and painful for you , alongside coping with tinnitus. Nobody on here has come up with any solutions yet but maybe they will do yet.I can only suggest go “ back to the drawing board” so to speak . You’ve seen ENT ( they can be useless). How about trying Neurology or someone specialising in necks. Tinnitus is a condition that nobody really comes up with any alternatives other than there’s nothing we can do and we have to learn to live with it. So perhaps carry on your search to find a top doctor for your neck.

Good luck. It’s a difficult one

[Graham1108 in reply to rabbits65]

Many thanks, will look to explore this option

[Marlayna67]

I've had T since 1976 (when I was 11), and I am now 56. Over the years I've had so many changes in pitch, tone, intensity, etc. I was well attenuated to the sound and always protected my hearing. After developing some neck issues, specifically, arthritis-related narrowing of I believe C5 or 6, the noise is different and louder. I have occipital neuralgia. It doesn't help that I've been on rounds of opioids and take Tylenol to get through the day.

But to your point, when the disc is really acting up and doing its compression thing, the noise is definitely louder. I'm not yet a candidate for surgery, but I've had multiple ablations, trigger point injections, steroid treatments, etc. None has yet cured the primary cause of the pain in my case.

Are you familiar with cranial-sacral therapy? If you can find a practitioner who can specifically work with the muscle you mention, you might find some peace. I googled practitioners in my area (the states) and see that they work with releasing this muscle.

[Graham1108]

Many thanks, I will do some research and have look at this option.

[Stravinsky1666]

To be honest I dont think that any GPs actually know what causes tinnitus. For them to tell you its not connected is probably unfounded. I also have neck issues. I dont know if its connected. I use a thumper massager every night and every morning on my neck and my jaw. It's probably my imagination but my tinnitus always seems less noisy for a while after I do that. My neck certainly feels more relaxed! I was recommended the thumper by another neck pain sufferer a few years ago.

[Parrcj]

Hi

I am also going through similar symptoms. My neck pain has been with me for many years, I had facet joint injections along with nerve denervation. After this procedure my T began, then after a while it disappeared .

Now 2 years on my T back with avengence I am seeing chiropractor and having massages, to see if this will help , as the though is my T is cause by nerve problem in my neck. I have seen neurology and ENT via a phone call but have an app in February. Going round in circles!

I am now taking amitriptyline which I vowed i would not take but the pain was to much . Neuro insisted i have to try them and then pregabalin if they do not work before they can consider seeing me in a pain relief clinic . I.e. seeing consultant specialising in pain control.

So do I continue to take these drugs as side effects could be T or do I refuse to take them 🤔 thats not a choice at the moment as to much pain in my right ear .

To say I was distraught when leaving the consultation is an understatement.

So like you Graham I would be interested I hearing from anyone who's T is caused by neck/nerve problems 😑

[Pamlemur]

Really interested reading about neck problems and connection with Tinnitus. I was diagnosed with cervical spondylosis last August after having pain on the left hand side of my head (in the dip behind my ear). I had no scans or anything but I already have osteoarthritis in my small joints, I was told there is nothing they can do and given an exercise sheet. My blood pressure was also through the roof and prescribed another medication for that. My Tinnitus which is constant in both ears had been and still is spiking to the degree that it becomes louder than sounds around me, (I have moderate/severe hearing loss in both ears and wear hearing aids). Last September I had a sudden loss of balance which lasted over 24 hours, my GP diagnosed Menieres. I have since seen my ENT consultant who is pretty sure it is not Menieres. My balance is still not great and I have been referred to the balance clinic. I have just had an MRI scan and waiting for the results. I think that maybe things are all connected in some way?

[Treasures]

I to have tinnitus which developed after I contracted covid19. As for your neck pain which I also have, I was diagnosed with my right leg slightly shorter then my left. My doctor prescribed orthopedic inserts for my shoes and miraculously it cleared up. I hope this gives you something to think about. Good luck! Christopher

[Stravinsky1666 in reply to Treasures]

Thats quite interesting .... I also discovered that whilst seeing a physio, and have an insert in my left shoe, I cant say it made any difference to my tinnitus though